30. Spring 2008: March 2008 Archives

From the Editor

This is the 30th issue of our local community magazine. You just cant believe that it was October 2000 when the first such magazine dropped through peoples letter boxes and it has happened four times a year ever since. Today the magazine is averaging between 10 and 12,000 words so one can only hope there is something interesting in its production considering the time and effort put in to produce it. We also provide advertising space for 86 advertisers which is a far cry from the first edition which had eleven adverts. Of that eleven just three have been in from day one and they are Great Barrier Reef (Fish and Chips), Costcutters and Metheringham Hair Studio on Caroline Road. To them we send out a big thank you for your continued support. The magazine has grown tremendously since 2000 when it was then just10 pages. Now, this issue is 56 pages (A4) and as you must imagine the printing costs to provide around 2,500 copies for all the villages in our community is approaching £1,000 per issue. With this in mind you can then appreciate why we have to include so many adverts as it is they who provide the capital to pay for the printing. I would also thank all the people and organisations who have provided articles this time, I think you will find them varied and interesting.

Pete Ford (Editor)

Annual Village Meeting 2008 - The 2008 Annual Village meeting will take place on Tuesday 29 April starting at 7.00pm in the Village Hall. This is not a formal Parish Council meeting, it is a meeting for the people of Metheringham to present to each other details of their organizations and how things have progressed during the year. This year's topic is "GOING GREEN", and the programme will include subjects on RECYCLING, how to SAVE ENERGY and MONEY in your home. With ever increasing utility bills, why not come along to find out how you can save money. If you have any suggestions or comments regarding the Annual Village Meeting please contact me.

Life carries on at the library, with all the regular events. Even though Sue cannot be around for story time with the pre-school children, the mums have taken over the task and formed a rota amongst themselves. In the half term holiday older brothers and sisters came along as well and read to the younger children.

If you are interested in learning to use a computer, we still have a class in the library on a Thursday afternoon run by Lincoln College. We have an ongoing waiting list so just let us have your contact details and we will be in touch. We do have two computers for public use, which have free Internet access, the only cost being 10p per sheet to print. These computers are very well used so it's best to ring up and book in advance. (01522 782010)

Our reading group continues to thrive. We set it up in 2000 so the original group have read and discussed quite a few books over the years. We meet in the Star & Garter on the first Wednesday in the month at 7.30pm but if you are new and don't want to walk in on your own I am usually in the library until 7.20pm.
The area in front of the library should look quite different soon as work is due too start on the Village Centre Regeneration Project.

Pauline Ventress

An update from this busy local charity providing pre ambulance emergency care.

We continue to thrive, with a new committee including 2 new co-ordinators to organise our day to day running. We currently have 9 responders and 3 more in the application process. We hold monthly training sessions to keep our skills up to date and respond to an average of 4 calls per week. Our responders have enjoyed taking part in an over 60's meeting (with an exciting demonstration of how LIVES operates) and also meeting the children of Dunston St Peters school to help get over key messages about the use of 999 calls.

We will be at the Metheringham village hall Spring Fayre on May 10th. We are keen to meet as many local people as possible, so please feel free to visit us, have an experiment with some of our equipment and get to know the First Responders.

We would like to extend a big Thank you to Neil Woolfitt of Lincoln Road Metheringham for his kind donation of £50. The money was collected during his impressive display of festive lights over the Christmas period. We are dependent on donations for our running costs and are extremely grateful to all who support our work.

Our FRIENDS of METHERINGHAM AREA LIVES scheme continues to be a popular way for people to support us. For more information contact Mary Hyde on 328607. Any other enquiries about LIVES can be directed to Beth - 321919 or Jenny - 321627

Jenny Hutchinson - Metheringham LIVES co-ordinator

See local posters for further details of this event. Tickets are available from Metheringham Info Links - 01526 323100 and Blankney Estate Office - 01526 320181.

All monies raised will go towards the urgent repair work needed to St Oswald's Church Tower.

Angels Dance Squad have recently attended their first solo/duo competition which was held in Colchester and despite the 6am start all the girls that took part had a great time. Krystal Brown was up first and entered Senior Solo Pom and secured herself 3rd place. Meanwhile Sophie Morton entered Tiny Solo Baton and came first out of 10.

Both Lauren Crompton and Krystal Brown entered Senior Solo Baton, Lauren winning first place and Krystal gaining 4th (out of 7). Lauren Taylor entered Junior Solo Baton and secured herself 5th place out of 11. We also had 2 duos enter Senior Pom, Emma Oglesby & Sarah Dean - coming first and Lauren Crompton and Jodie Crompton coming second out of 7 teams. Lauren Taylor and Alice Bowring entered Junior Pom duo and came first out of 11. Lauren Crompton and Jodie Crompton also entered Senior Baton Duo and secured themselves a first place out of 7. So a massive well done to all those girls who competed, I am so proud of you all.

We are now back at training and should anyone wish to book us for any events then please call: 01526 340394.

As we continue into the 21st year of twinning we will welcome the French to a weekend of flowers and fens. A visit is planned to the Spalding area - Butterfly Park and Springfield along with a visit to Nocton estate to see the flowers in the glasshouses. We are also going to attempt a bi-lingual treasure hunt around the village, starting and finishing at Dunston School.

The duck race will be held on the village green at Dunston on Saturday June 14th. First race 3pm . There will be the usual races stalls and games and if we are lucky, a nice sunny day.

We are also planning to have a hog roast on September 20th - tickets will be available from any committee member.

If you are interested in joining the twinning (I can really recommend it) call Beth McLuckie 321919

For Metheringham Football Club this season has fairly flown by as we move into the last two months of this campaign. At the present time none of our sides hold top spot in their league's but saying that the teams within the club are generally doing very well. Of our 13 sides two are presently in second place, namely the U18's and U15's, two are third (U12's and U9's), two are fourth (Sun 1st and U11's) and four are fifth (Sun 2nd, U16's, U13's and U10's). Whether any of these side will finish in top spot is, to a certain extent, in their own hands. Whilst we have sides battling out league titles just one side is left in cup competition with the Sunday 1st XI in the Kelly Read Cup ¼ final, open to village sides, where they host Division One side Nettleham. The nearest any of our sides have came to a cup final was the Saturday XI who went out to Plough FC Skellingthorpe in the semi final of the Amateur Cup, going down 5-3 after extra time, having twice been in the lead.

The Methodist Church, in the High Street, was opened for worship on 28th May 1908 and to celebrate the Church's 100 year birthday we are planning a programme of activities.

On Saturday 10th May a Celebration Garden Party will be held in the Chapel Hall & Grounds 9.30am to 12.00 with stalls, games, raffle and refreshments.

Saturday 17th May we will be holding a Celebration Dinner, in the Village Hall, starting at 6.30pm. A three course meal will be followed by entertainment by The Hi-Notes with "Songs from the Shows". Tickets are priced at £12.50.

On Sunday 25th May at 6.00pm a Centenary Celebration Service will be held at the Methodist Church. The preacher will be Dr David Perry, the Chairman of the District and birthday cake, tea & coffee will be served following the service.

In June we will be celebrating with a Flower Festival. A Preview Night will be on Friday 6th June 7.30pm - 9.00pm with Fruit Punch & Nibbles and tickets are £5.

Saturday 7th June 10.00am - 4.00pm and Sunday 8th June 12.00 - 4.00pm the Church will be opened for you to see these lovely flower arrangements representing the last 100 years, admission free. During the above times there will be organ and piano recitals and refreshments.

Sunday 8th June, at 10.30am, will also see the return to the Church of Deacon Rosemary Cogrove to take our Sisterhood Anniversary Service.

You can obtain tickets for the above events from Margaret Amos, Rita Blow and Joyce Sellars.

Please make a date in your diary for Sunday 13th July when The Sunday School Reunion will be held 3.00 - 6.00pm.

If you have any photos, item or written memories about the Chapel for the Shared Memories Exhibition could you please contact Shirley Beevers 320935, Cathy Brown 321490 or Angeline Murphy 320099

Lunch club continues to flourish with recent donations to St Francis School and Wish upon a Star - we always give away the profits and the lunchers have decided to nominate a different children's charity each time. Our team of helpers and cooks is also growing and we have a great time together cooking and serving old favourites like bangers and mash, shepherds pie and chicken casserole. That's not to mention those lovely hot puds with custard. Dates in this quarter are 18 April, 16 May, 20 June all at 12.00 pm
The bible study group, lead by John and Jan is a source of great joy and encouragement. The group includes people from Dunston, Bardney, Ruskington and Heckington and always includes songs and cake!!

We meet in the Chapel at 7.45 pm on the third and fourth Tuesday of each month. If you would like to join us we would love to see you.

We are pleased to welcome an old friend of Dunston Chapel - Rev Geoff Lear for a service on 25 May at 11 am. Geoff was involved at the Chapel many years ago - at the time Ena Lintin was secretary /steward. I believe Geoff lodged with Ena for a while. It will be good to renew our acquaintance with him - do contact me if you have any memories from that time.

Beth McLuckie 01526 321919

Richard Parker is new President

Local land owner Mr Richard Parker, from Metheringham Manor, will be the President for the 124th Lincolnshire Show in June this year. Mr Parker who is well known in local farming circles and is President of Blankney Cricket Club has a long standing association with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society and has served as a chief steward in the past as well as being the honorary director and the Society's Chairman.

Mr Parker is church warden at St Oswald’s Church, Blankney and would sincerely ask that local people support forthcoming events, to be held at the church, towards the much needed repairs to the church tower, thank you

Gardeners should be warned against cutting back their hedges and climbing plants too early in the year.

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (01507 526667) has issued a warning to everyone working on their gardens to give consideration to nesting birds.

During the bird-breeding season many have built their nests in garden hedges and the Trust is issuing a warning that it is a criminal offence to cut back plant life which might damage the nest or birds themselves. The Trust is suggesting that gardeners should wait until the end of the bird breeding season before they start cutting back their hedges or trees.

For further information contact the Trust on 01507 526667.

Should you wish to report incidents of negligence-contact Lincolnshire Police on 01522 532222 or ring 01522 558684.

In terms of Outdoor Bowls, this has been our closed season. But, as dedicated bowlers, most of our members continue to play throughout the winter at either Lincoln Indoor Bowls Club, or Sleaford Indoor Bowls Club. Although they do not necessarily play under the banner of "Metheringham Bowls Club", most of our members play together and enjoy the warm and friendly environment of playing "Indoors", during the winter months.

Metheringham and local village residents were among 70 members of the Branston and District University of the Third Age who participated in the Christmas Luncheon Held at the Bentley Hotel, Lincoln, in mid December. The new year commenced with presentations entitled ‘Where Frigates Fly’ and ‘The Royal Observer Corps’ and these and similar monthly presentations are conducted on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1.30 p.m. for 2 p.m. at the Branston Village Hall.

Persons no longer in full time employment (the only qualification required) who wish to join, or learn more about, the U3A, are invited to attend one of the aforementioned (fourth Tuesday) meetings or ring Christine on 01552 790951

To support the English Woman’s Golf Association strategy to increase the number of women and girls participating in golf the English Golf Union and EWGA are working together to implement their 'Driving Women's Golf' initiative.

The EGU/EWGA Golf Club Membership Questionnaire 2006 showed that 85% of affiliated golf clubs had vacancies for female members (adults & juniors). To help promote the wide range of opportunities that are available for females of all ages, the EGU/EWGA is working alongside golf clubs and counties to help achieve this.

If you are interested in trying golf, then why not attend an EGU/EWGA 'Free' taster session. Golf clubs offer beginners a free lesson with a qualified PGA Professional, equipment is provided free of charge and
all you need to do is book a lesson and turn up on the day in comfortable clothing.

MAWS have had a fairly quiet time since Christmas. The volunteers work on behind the scenes each Monday and Friday mornings as usual, but at a more leisurely pace. Stock is sorted, some items going to auction and some sold by the free ads in the newspaper. Other stock has to be stowed away in dry, warm storerooms. That is always a problem over the winter months due to the extra heating required, space is limited. When the volunteers are struggling to find space and where to put things, it is not unusual to be answered in chorus "you need sky hooks". If asked where they are kept (and it has happened), you have guess it, the reply is "its behind you". Not sure if the MAWS gang watch too many pantomimes or just create their own. Either way they do seem to enjoy charity work and share a good laugh doing it.

For this issue's Web Watch article, we are going to look at Search Engines. The World Wide Web is a vast repository of information that is continually growing. To stand a chance of finding information on the web, you need tools to help you. Amongst the most powerful web tools to aid discovery are search engines. We will consider only the 'big three' Google, Microsoft & Yahoo due to space restrictions..

Nocton Cricket Club held its AGM in January, and the following cups were presented to players for their performances in the 2007 season:

• Batting: David Franklin


• Bowling: Bruce Donald


• Fielding: Darren Swift


• All Rounder: Matt Gaunt


• Young Player: Ben Tumilty


• President's Cup: Darren Swift


• Club Men: Cameron and Bruce Donald


• Most Ducks: David Glew


• Most Improved: Whole Team

Indoor practice has been taking place in February and March, ready for outdoor practice in April (Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm).

If there is anyone interested in cricket, they could telephone David Glew: (01526) 321756.

Metheringham Amateur Dramatics' are planning to perform 'Lark Rise' in Blankney Stables (by kind permission of the Blankney Estates) in July 2008.

This is an ambitious open-air production which requires a large cast (43), a brass band and a choir! There are quite a few men needed in the cast and we would like to try and recruit these from the MACLA area before sending this out to other parts of the county.

If you would like to join in this community play please contact either Ken Frape (01526 378571) or Rob Halls ( 01526 321807 ) who will be able to give you more information.

The Village Hall has new challenges to face in 2008.

Grant Applications have just gone off to try and get assistance for this year's project of 21st Century Energy Efficiency Improvements. This will we hope entail completion of the double glazing and cavity wall insulation at the hall. Installation of a rainwater saving system to use grey water for the toilets and Solar heating panels for the hot water. We also want to make visiting the hall a safer and less intimidating experience by installing four CCTV cameras to reduce the vandalism we have had in the past.

Book Reader Review

I quite enjoyed the book, until it started to make me feel very uncomfortable at the manipulation of an impressionable young woman into a puppet of an older woman.

I really wasn't sure at the beginning of the book, just who was seducing whom, but the boy was certainly no innocent in that relationship, whereas I felt the woman was quite innocent in her relationship with the older woman.

Their relationship crept up insidiously on me and I found that I didn't want to keep reading the book, but I had to as I needed to know what the ending was going to be, but it was not enjoyable and I just found it very creepy.

I would score it 3/10 for enjoyment and 8/10 for the actual writing as I felt it was very cleverly built up, almost without you noticing what was actually happening.

Lynn

Most of our group found the ending of the story in the book to be unsatisfactory but I think that in the film they tidied up the loose ends. We gave the book average scores of 5/10 for enjoyment and 6½/10 for the quality of the writing.

Pauline

As many of you are aware, sadly, Dr. Brian Wright passed away suddenly on Tuesday 12 February 2008. Dr Wright was a founder member and also Chairman of the Senior Citizens Club for over 35 years. He stood down from the club when he left Metheringham to live in Lincoln but kept in touch and occasionally called in to Coffee Mornings on a Thursday, the last time being in January.

The Senior Citizen's party, this year, will be held on Saturday 12 April with entertainment by Tommy Curtis.

Our first outing this year will be to Skegness on Tuesday 17 June.

Pam Woolley (Sec)

How often do you get the opportunity to see a top international musician, on stage in Lincolnshire, FREE OF CHARGE? - not very often.

Well, on Wednesday 19th March, the renowned accordionist Pearl Fawcett-Adriano will be appearing at Wragby Town Hall, courtesy of the Lindum Accordion Club.

In her career, Pearl has made many appearances on BBC radio and television, alongside such names as Semprini, Max Jaffa, Roy Castle and David Jacobs. Her live concert venues include Leningrad's Philharmonic Hall and London's Royal Albert Hall. Pearl was the first British accordionist and the first western female accordionist to do a solo tour of the former USSR.

Pearl is highly esteemed internationally, and has been honoured by having a wax imprint of her right hand displayed in a unique accordion museum in Northern Italy. This museum is the only one of its kind anywhere and celebrates famous and notable accordionists who have influenced and contributed to the world of the accordion.

Pearl's vast repertoire ranges from classic to light music, including French Musette and continental, but no matter what style of music she plays, her technique and control of the instrument ensures that it is interpreted to the full.

Amazingly, we at the Lindum Accordion Club are so pleased to welcome her to Lincolnshire that we invite you to be our guests for this unique evening. There will be no admission charge, and light refreshments will be available during the interval. Doors open at 7.15 for a 7.30 start.

For further information, contact Geoff Brown on (01526) 321490

We have recently received the exciting news that the library extension has been approved for Dunston school. Work is due to commence in the summer . This means that the school can start spending some of the money we have raised on furnishings and equipment for this development.

We are ploughing on with new ideas, focusing on family events and activities. Please join us for a picnic and games on May 18th and our Summer Fayre on July 12th. Watch this space for details of a family barn dance in the Autumn.

Our next event will be an evening of magic on April 1st from 6:30 pm. Tickets will cost £3 and are available from Dunston school.

With any other queries, please contact Jenny - 321627

Jenny Hutchinson - FODS secretary

The club re-opened on 9 January after our Christmas break with members enjoying an afternoon of laughter with a series of short quizzes.

On 23 January, Osteopath Paddy Searle-Barnes gave an informative talk and demonstrated his technique on Joan Osko who later said her back felt much improved.

Then on 6 February Liz Stephenson gave a talk on Fair Trade and brought along a variety of Fair Trade products for sale.

The month closed with our meeting on 20 February as members enjoyed another social afternoon of activities and just catching up on gossip.

The club meets every fortnight at Heighington Jubilee Hall. Anyone wishing to join can contact Betty Knight on 01522 794 121 or Patricia MacPherson on 01522 856 981

In November 2007 we conducted our annual patient satisfaction survey. A big thank you to everyone who took the trouble to fill in the questionnaires which were handed out to all patients attending for a doctor's appointment during that particular week. We depend on feedback from our patients in order to make plans for future developments. We have now finished analysing the survey and have also formulated a development plan for the coming year.

The volunteers who care for the Swimming Pool on behalf of the community, have arranged several fund-raising activities for the coming months.

We need to fun raise to cover the escalating costs of keeping the pool clean and warm and its surrounds neat and tidy. The estimated costs for this year, including gas, electric, water, maintenance and lifeguard and caretaker wages will be in excess of £8,000. This amount will not be covered by gate fees and a considerable amount of time and effort by the small committee is dedicated to fund-raising. We are currently seeking grants to enable us to install solar heating which will help greatly in reducing the £2,500 gas bill.

The Visitors Centre will open the 2008 season on Friday 21st March.

The Annual General Meeting takes place eleven days later on Wednesday 2nd April in the Old Gymnasium, commencing at 7.30 pm.

The Centre's Open Day will be on Sunday 4 May.

If you are not a member of the association and would like to support and preserve the memory of those who flew with 106 Squadron from RAF Metheringham you can contact Membership Secretary Judy Evans, 01526 378273

Membership costs £10.00 per year or £15 for a family membership. This allows you free entry to eight annual lectures on aviation topics.

The big news is that the WI membership has now increased in numbers to the point that we have decided to move to the village hall. This will make parking much easier as well as provide more space for speakers, competitions, displays etc. The institute would like to thank the Methodist Church for the use of their hall and their hospitality and generosity over recent years and hope they understand that our expanding membership means we feel it is time to try somewhere different and is no reflection on their hospitality.

Believe it or believe it not we are less than two months away from the new cricket season and preparations are already underway by Blankney Cricket Club for this. The Club has just had their AGM and they will again be fielding four teams which include two Mid-week sides (limited overs games) and sides on both Saturday and Sunday. Last season the Club made the decision to leave the Lincoln Saturday League where the second eleven played and move into the South Lincs and Border League. This proved an enjoyable transfer with a variety of new grounds visited.

Who was J. Hedison at Dunston Pillar, August 1942?

A number of years ago I bought a comprehensive, dumpy, aircraft recognition book, called 'AIRCRAFT AND THE AIR' which the owner has written, in blue ink, under the title, 'By Eric Sargeant'.
On the inner cover of the book, the owner has written in pencil: J. Hedison, Dunston Pillar, Nocton, Lincoln - August, 1942. I'm keen to find out who this person was, and what he or she was doing there in August 1942.
Having just looked at the internet, I can see the history regarding the Pillar, and that the RAF took 10 metres from the top of it during the war, so as to avoid a mid air collision with aircraft from a nearby RAF base.
Did the RAF have control of the Pillar during the war? Could J. Hedison have been an RAF observer there? It would seem that nobody could live in the tower, so how could this be given as an address unless based there?
Could J. Hedison have been a local person, unconnected with the RAF? Maybe a local schoolboy at the time, with an interest in the aircraft activity around him?
Any help in unearthing this mystery would be gratefully received, as living near Bath means that I can't easily get to ask people locally. Thanks.
Martin Southwell - Tel: 01225 700699 (W) or 07808582893(M) martin_southwell@hotmail.com

from PC Simon Gordon

Members of the community policing team hope all residents had a peaceful Christmas. Belated Happy New Year to all.

I am pleased to report that we have only recorded one burglary over the Christmas period, and do date. This was a sneak-in burglary at an isolated farm-house on the B1188 close to Metheringham, which took place in early-February. Some of these thieves are prepared to enter your home when you are in the house. So if you are spending time in your conservatory, at the back of the house, it may be a good idea to lock your front-door. Remember that if you leave your house in daylight, you may return when it is dark. Leave some lights on, or use timers. Close your windows. Use your house-alarm if you have one.

The New Year has got off to a good start.

At January's meeting Metheringham First Responders (LIVES) came along and gave a demonstration and talk on how they operate alongside the Emergency Service. It was very informative, especially as some members could be alone in their home if and when an emergency arises. A collection was made during the interval and added to the donation from the club and members who joined up to F.O.M.A.L. we were able to give LIVES £340.00 towards their much needed funds.

In February we were entertained by the singing duo Phil and Margaret Gray who took us on a nostalgic trip back to the 60's - great fun and happy memories of a bygone era.

The AGM is on Wednesday 5 March at 7.00 pm so come along and give your views - good or bad! - unfortunately we can not please everyone all of the time but we do try our hardest.
The list of trips for 2008 is in the process of being finalised, more on this at the meeting.

We have a Coffee Morning on Monday 10 March in the Village Hall, starting at 10.00 am, all are welcome to join us for drinks plus we will have our usual Raffle and stall.

Wednesday 2 April meeting is "Signing On" night for existing members, please make sure to come and renew your membership as we do have a long "waiting List" of people wanting to join. This meeting begins at 6.30 pm to enable us to process membership before we commence the evening's entertainment.
New members will be enrolled in May, subject to places being available.

Guest are welcome at £2.00 per visit.

Ann Crooks Secretary

The Loyal Ripon Lodge of Oddfellows, Dunston, c1835-1915

The Loyal Ripon Lodge was part of the Friendly Society movement which flowered and flourished after the Napoleonic wars in response to the greater understanding of social responsibility which grew with the Industrial Revolution particularly across the north of England.

The Lodge was founded some time between 1833 and 1854 and was honoured with the name of the Earl of Ripon whose seat was at Nocton Hall. The Earl, as Viscount Goderich, was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Ireland for less than five months in 1827 between those two great worthies George Canning and the Duke of Wellington.

MEMBERS LOSE OVER 16 STONE AT LOCAL ROSEMARY CONLEY DIET AND EXERCISE CLASS

…….And you could start losing too with the fantastic new GI Jeans Hip and Thigh Diet with an average weight loss of 7.25lbs in the first two weeks. Classes take place at Metheringham Village Hall on Tuesdays, 12.30pm to 2pm and members are enjoying the benefits of the fantastic new portion pots released in January this year which make losing weight much easier.